Louise Turpin, left, and David Turpin, second from right, in the courtroom during Friday’s hearing, Feb. 22. (Photo by Brian Rokos)

David and Louise Turpin appeared in a Riverside Superior Court on Friday, Feb. 22. (Photo by Brian Rokos)

Riverside County DA Mike Hestrin, center, speaks about the Turpin’s case with his defense team from left DA Sr. Investigator Wade Walsvick, Victim Advocate Yadira Sanchez, Victim Advocate Sherri Marcus, Hestin, Deputy DA Kevin Beecham and Deputy DA Kim DeGonia during a new conference at the District Attorney’s Office in Riverside on Friday, February 22, 2019. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Riverside County DA Mike Hestrin speaks about the Turpin’s case during a new conference at the District Attorney’s Office in Riverside on Friday, February 22, 2019. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Riverside County DA Mike Hestrin takes questions from the media about the Turpin’s case during a new conference at the District Attorney’s Office in Riverside on Friday, February 22, 2019. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Riverside County DA Mike Hestrin shows his emotion as he speaks about the Turpin’s and how the children were treated during a new conference at the District Attorney’s Office in Riverside on Friday, February 22, 2019. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Riverside County DA Mike Hestrin, right, speaks about the Turpin’s case with from left DA Sr. Investigator Wade Walsvick, Victim Advocate Yadira Sanchez and Victim Advocate Sherri Marcus during a new conference at the District Attorney’s Office in Riverside on Friday, February 22, 2019. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Riverside County DA Mike Hestrin, center, speaks about the Turpin’s case with his defense team from left DA Sr. Investigator Wade Walsvick, Victim Advocate Yadira Sanchez, Victim Advocate Sherri Marcus, Hestin, Deputy DA Kevin Beecham and Deputy DA Kim DeGonia during a new conference at the District Attorney’s Office in Riverside on Friday, February 22, 2019. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Riverside County DA Mike Hestrin, center, speaks about the Turpin’s case with his defense team from left DA Sr. Investigator Wade Walsvick, Victim Advocate Yadira Sanchez, Victim Advocate Sherri Marcus, Hestin, Deputy DA Kevin Beecham and Deputy DA Kim DeGonia during a new conference at the District Attorney’s Office in Riverside on Friday, February 22, 2019. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

The number of counts in the plea agreement was reduced to 14 each, down from the original, collective 88.

In court, each said “guilty” when ask how they were pleading. Louise Turpin, 50, wiped tears with a tissue, while her husband, who is 57, appeared stoic.

The maximum sentence could be life with the possibility of parole and lifetime probation. Sentencing was scheduled for April 19.

Riverside County District Attorney Mike Hestrin said during a press conference after the court hearing that their first parole hearing would be in 25 years.

“We were going to seek justice in a way that did not bring further harm to the victims,” he said, adding he was glad that the children won’t need to testify during a trial. “I believe we have accomplished that. This is one of the worst and most aggravated child abuse cases I have ever seen. … Regardless of who did what, they were held equally responsible.”

At least some of the children told the district attorney they are happy about that as well, he said.

His office was prepared to put them on the stand. He declined to say how the children feel about their parents.

As to why the parents committed such horrible crimes on their children, the district attorney said he didn’t know: “I can’t really get in the minds of their motivation.”

Among the charges dismissed were for perjury for David Turpin.

The Turpins had been charged with a collective 88 felony counts, including for torture, child cruelty and false imprisonment related to the treatment. None of those charges were related to the 13th child, who was age 2 at the time of the arrests.

Prosecutors say the children were found malnourished, cognitively impaired, underweight and uneducated. Some were shackled to furniture for weeks at a time and allowed to bathe only once a year, according to court testimony.

The Turpins were arrested Jan. 14, 2018, after a 17-year-old daughter escaped out a window and called police on a cellphone.

The Turpins had pleaded not guilty to all charges in a case that has received worldwide attention. A trial was set to begin Sept. 3.

On Friday, they remained in custody in lieu of $12 million bail each.

David Turpin’s attorney, Deputy Public Defender David J. Macher, declined to comment, as did Louise Turpin’s attorney, Jeff Moore.